M U N I C I P A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F V I C T O R I A

Annual Report2018

Acknowledgment of landWe acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of the land and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We support local government’s capacity and knowledge to strengthen relationships with Victoria’s Aboriginal communities and for it to encourage greater unity, knowledge, cultural awareness and respect for the first occupants of our land – through its strong community links and local representation.

Overview 2President’s message 4Snapshot of performance highlights 6CEO’s message 8Financial overview 10

Governance 14Introduction 15MAV Board 16Listening and learning 20

Our People 26Human resources overview 27Organisational structure 28MAV staff 29

Detailed Performance Report 32Providing value to our members 33MAV work team overview 34Hosted organisations 41Occupational health and safety 43Online resources 44Strategic Work Plan outcomes 46

MAV Insurance 62Chair’s message 63Performance highlights 64MAV Insurance Board 66MAV Insurance team 69Liability Mutual Insurance Scheme 70Commercial Crime Fund 76LGE Health Insurance 78

MAV WorkCare 80Chair’s message 81Performance highlights 82MAV WorkCare Board 84MAV WorkCare members 85

Detailed Financial Reports 86Guide to the financial statements 87MAV Financial Report 2017-18 89MAV Insurance Financial Report 2017-18 133MAV WorkCare Financial Report 2017-18 165LGE Health Plan Financial Report 2017-18 193

Contents

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Overview

Our Charter

We are the MAV – the voice of local government in Victoria since 1879. Our purpose is to advocate for local government interests; build the capacity of councils; protect and support the viability of councils and promote the role of local government.

We value:• Integrity

• Collaboration

• Accountability

• Innovation

• Respect.

Our role is to:Represent and advocate for local government interests

• Establish and maintain alliances with key stakeholders

• Respond to arising issues

• Mediate, facilitate and advise

• Lead sector development

• Support councillor development

• Host and facilitate educational and training events

• Provide collaborative procurement opportunities

• Provide insurance services.

We are successful when:• Our members receive

a high value return for their subscription

• Our people are inspired by a sense of purpose and accomplishment

• Our members, consultation networks and suppliers value their relationship with us

• Our operational discipline and financial strength ensures our ongoing role in serving our members efficiently and effectively.

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ProvenanceThe Parliament of Victoria passed the Municipal Association Act in 1907, officially recognising the MAV as the voice of local government in the state. Our role is to promote the efficient carrying out of municipal government throughout the state of Victoria, and to watch over and protect the interests, rights and privileges of municipal corporations.

Today, the MAV is an influential force supporting a strong and strategically positioned local government sector. Our role is to represent and advocate the interests of local government, lobby for a ‘fairer deal’ for councils, raise the sector’s profile, ensure its long-term security and provide policy advice, strategic advice, capacity building programs and insurance services to local government.

The MAV is a membership association, accountable to its constituent members through State Council and an elected Board. Membership of the MAV is discretionary (at 30 June 2018 all 79 Victorian councils were current financial members), and participation in our insurance schemes, procurement program, events and other activities is voluntary.

Our membersLocal government is interwoven in the fabric of community life. It is the most trusted level of government and has a vital leadership role to play in facilitating economic development and improving quality of life for the people it serves.

Victorian local government is made up of 79 councils representing over 6.4 million people. They operate with a legislative and electoral mandate to manage local issues and plan for the community’s needs. In partnership with their communities, councils manage more than $90 billion worth of community infrastructure and assets.

Victorian local government has annual revenue of $9 billion. Councils employ more than 43,000 people and provide more than 100 different services to people who visit, live and work in their area. Key functions include health and community services; land use planning; environmental services; recreational and cultural services; local roads, footpaths and street lighting services; domestic animal management; and emergency management planning.

This Annual Report documents the activities and achievements of the MAV, MAV Insurance, MAV WorkCare and LGE Health for the 2017-18 financial year.

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The past financial year has set the foundation for significant change at the MAV. Finding the right person to take over from a highly successful and long-serving CEO was never going to be easy, but I’m confident that the hard work of the MAV Board and staff will result in an exciting new era for the MAV and our members.

Before I address the achievements of the past year, it is appropriate that we take this time to reflect on the achievements of this chapter of the MAV, and of the legacy of our long-term CEO, Rob Spence.

It’s worth remembering that when Rob took the reins in 1998, the MAV had seen five CEOs and a similar number of Presidents in the two years prior to his appointment – and councils were still reeling from the forced amalgamations of the Kennett era.

Twenty years later, the MAV is consistently unlocking more than $400 million worth of value to members, year upon year (including this year). These benefits are delivered by a highly capable team of about 50 staff and specialist consultants. Our insurance and procurement offerings provide members with bespoke local government products and services, and influence the external market to be more competitive. Our network of committees, boards, working groups and taskforces has built the capability of the MAV, to be one of the most respected and influential local government associations in the country.

It has been a pleasure for me to work with Rob. His knowledge, experience, wisdom and networks will be greatly missed by the MAV. I know that I reflect the thoughts of our members as I thank him for his outstanding contribution to the MAV and to local government. Through his work at the MAV, he has influenced the lives of many Victorians, guided countless careers and supported colleagues and friends when the chips were down. Thank you, Rob. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Let’s reflect on the past year. In addition to the more than $400m of funding gains outlined in the performance highlights on the next pages, the MAV also negotiated new partnerships and agreements for State Emergency Services, workers' compensation self-insurance, and the promotion of local government employment opportunities through LinkedIn. We improved efficiency and productivity for councils through procurement contracts, the Child Development Information System (CDIS), a centralised annual property valuation model, professional development initiatives and events, and the expansion of the statewide library management system.

This year we continued our participation in the review of the Local Government Act making sure our sector’s collective voice was heard and ensuring that this once in a generation opportunity did not result in lack-lustre legislation. We worked with all parties to ensure that the Act was not rushed

President’s Message

It is an exciting time for the MAV as we position ourselves to help all our

members thrive in an increasingly complex and

changing environment.

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through and we look forward to re-establishing talks with the government soon.

We are always mindful of building and retaining strong and influential relationships with politicians of every political colour, and public servants across every level of government. We have also worked hard to engage and collaborate with leaders from unions and industry, business, charities, educational institutions and the media. These relationships are particularly important in election years such as this.

The next few years will be a pivotal time for civic leadership. Fiscal constraint, rapidly emerging technologies and the demand for better customer experience from our communities will drive many of our sector-wide initiatives. We will continue to support councils as they address issues including social cohesion in diversifying communities, reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, advancing gender equality, preventing violence against women, and planning for the anticipated impacts of digital transformation and climate change.

In October 2017, 31 councillors were recognised for 10, 15, 25 or 30 years of service to their local community with an MAV Councillor Service Award. On behalf of the MAV Board, I thank and congratulate you for your service to your local community in an elected role.

Now, Kerry Thompson takes the helm as CEO of the MAV. Kerry brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served in recent years as the CEO of both Maribyrnong and Wyndham City Councils. She has strong relationships in Victorian Government having recently completed senior roles at VicRoads and Transport for Victoria. Kerry is also the first female CEO in the MAV’s 130 plus year history. I look forward to the fresh perspectives and insights that her appointment promises to bring to the Association.

In closing, I would like to thank the team at MAV for all the wonderful work they do for local government in Victoria.

I am proud to present and commend the MAV Annual Report 2017-18 to you. I trust it will clearly convey the member benefits we have delivered to date, while also demonstrating the collaborative potential of local government in Victoria as we look to the future.

CR MARY LALIOS President

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Performance Highlights

In 2017-18, Victorian councils contributed $3 million in membership subscriptions to the MAV. For the fourth year in a row, the MAV has helped to unlock more than $400 million in member service benefits including:

FUNDING TOOLS & RESOURCES

RURAL & REGIONAL LOCAL ROADS: Secured $100m for management of rural and regional local roads

$100 MILLION value to councils

RECYCLING: Support package util 30 June

$12 MILLION value to councils

SCHOOL CROSSINGS: Secured 20 per cent increase for

supervisor program

$18.9 MILLION value to councils

KINDERGARTENS: $100m operational funding for 15 hours per week until the end of 2019, plus $43m capital funding for early learning facilities

$143 MILLION value to councils

VIC COUNCILS website showcases the

work and services of local government in Victoria

Open Council Data toolkit assists 40 Victorian councils to increase publishing of

OPEN DATA

Inaugural MAVHACK event introduces councils to

DESIGN THINKING for collaborative outcomes

33 councils participate in

LEAP PROCUREMENTcontinuous improvement program identifying cost savings, collaborativeand shared service opportunities

Expansion of

STATEWIDE LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM50% of councils now participating

Roll out of Infobase international

ICT DATABASE which stores, compares and

reports on IT systems, products, services and suppliers

TRANSFORMATION: New funding for a rural councils

transformation program

$20 MILLION value to councils

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LINKEDIN partnership helps more than 30

councils to promote careers in local government to address key

employment issues for councils

PARTNERSHIPS & AGREEMENTS

EFFICIENCIES

Renewed a five-year partnership agreement with the

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

MAV WORKCARE workers’ compensation Self-Insurance Mutual Scheme commences

Influenced reviews of the Local Government Act and the Municipal Association

ACT AND RULES

Memorandum of Understanding

SIGNED for the State to fund our State Emergency Service

Represented sector intersts on

CLADDING & RECYCLING TASKFORCES

More than 90 MAV events and training programs

are attended by more than

7,150 DELEGATES from MAV member councils

$8 MILLION per annum savings to councils through a centralised annual property valuation model

80% OF COUNCILS are now using the MAV’s Child

Development Information System (CDIS) to better manage family

data and monitor at-risk children

Introduced Zoom

TELECONFERENCING to maximise council member participation in events

COST SAVINGS achieved by all 79 Victorian councils

who are accessing one or more of 16 contracts offered by

MAV Procurement

Note: The performance highlights presented on this page represent outcomes achieved by the MAV in collaboration with numerous stakeholder groups including councils, the Australian Local Government Association, industry groups, unions, and state and federal government departments. Refer to pages 40-60 for details of MAV Strategic Work Plan outcomes for 2017-18.

$

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CEO’s Message

The 2017-18 year has seen the MAV deliver significant outcomes for its members, once again.

This year the funding wins included more than $143 million for kinders, $18.9 million for school crossings, $100 million for the management of rural and regional roads, $12 million in immediate support for recycling, and $20 million for a rural councils transformation program. We also negotiated an MOU for the State to fund the State Emergency Service, renewed a five-year partnership agreement with the Department of Education, delivered a centralised annual property valuation model that will save councils a further $8 million per annum.

Other significant outcomes included our partnership with LinkedIn "Council Careers Victoria", which is helping to address key employment issues for councils; the expansion of the statewide library management system to over 50 per cent of Victorian councils; and the launch of our VicCouncils website which showcases the work and services of local government in Victoria.

MAV training programs and events have reached more than 7,150 council employees and elected officials – increasing council capability, knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities.

This year, and every year, our achievements in all portfolio areas are due to the persistence, energy, skill and dedication of the exceptional team here at the MAV. The complexity of the environment in which they work may not be immediately apparent

to many. In order to run effective advocacy campaigns they must establish and maintain productive relationships with Ministers, advisers, unions, key state personnel and the media – while also ensuring that they are correctly representing the needs of our member councils. To do this, they convene and participate in a vast network of committees, working groups, task forces and boards to advocate for councils in areas as diverse and contentious as dangerous dogs, recycling, building cladding, health status of Aboriginal children, rezoning, tobacco control, prevention of violence against women, arts and culture, business transformation, technology, roads, water, kindergartens, aged care and more.

As I hand the reins of the MAV over to the new CEO, Kerry Thompson, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the achievements of the people that I have worked with over the past twenty years. Some of the major highlights from my perspective have been the outcomes achieved in the insurance area. The MAV is required to provide insurance services to Victorian councils under the Municipal Association Act 1907. Before the early 2000s the sector's Insurance Liability Mutual Scheme was controlled by a broker and was not providing the value to councils that it should have. The MAV Insurance team took back control of the LMI, creating greater value and protection for councils and a downward pressure on the market that is still enjoyed today.

Once again, the MAV team has unlocked in excess of

$400 million in value for our members, delivering a return on

investment 100 times greater than their subscription fees.

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The LGE Health Plan is another example of the Insurance team's important impact on the performance of the sector. Through it, 78 Victorian councils, 10 Tasmanian councils, 11 water authorities and the MAV combine to form the largest corporate program in Australia for GMHBA. It now has more than $1.6 million in capital to reinvest in staff well-being programs.

And this year we saw the long-anticipated establishment of MAV WorkCare – a workers' compensation self-insurance mutual scheme that will result in safer workplaces, better return-to-work outcomes, healthier workers and significant financial savings to councils. The MAV has made several attempts to establish a fund of this kind for councils over the years. It's very pleasing to see it finally come to fruition, thanks to the support of our members and the hard work of the WorkCare team.

The MAV Procurement team has also delivered significant benefits to MAV member councils. In addition to saving councils millions of dollars through aggregated procurement contracts, the team delivered training programs and sector-wide transaction insights to improve council procurement practices, efficiency and social outcomes.

All of these outcomes have been informed by the needs of our members. Over the years I have learned much from my conversations with colleagues from every corner of Victoria. The

collective wisdom of our sector is second only to its diversity and commitment to community. Effective local government is critical to the environmental, social and economic wellbeing of Victoria, so I'm heartened to know there are so many good people working with it and within it.

As a new era begins at the MAV, I know that the team will continue to rise to new challenges and embrace every opportunity to strengthen the voice for local government and the communities it serves. I am incredibly proud of them and will greatly miss their passion, inspiration, humour and friendship. It has been a privilege to witness the development of the MAV team over the past two decades and I look forward to watching what they will achieve next.

It's been an honour. Best regards to all.

ROB SPENCE Chief Executive Officer

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Financial Overview

Report on financial results for the year ended 30 June 2018 In accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Association Act 1907, and applicable accounting standards, the economic activity of the MAV, MAV Insurance and MAV WorkCare is reported to members as an economic entity within the combined annual accounts.

The combined activities are shown as the combined accounts and the MAV, being the parent entity, is shown separately as the MAV General Fund.

The LGE Health Plan is reported to members as a separate economic entity.

Municipal Association of Victoria The MAV financial statements include the activities of:

1. MAV Grants: The MAV administers grant funds for and on behalf of its members, for the benefit of both local government and the Victorian community

2. Projects and Events: The MAV organises events for members and undertakes projects with the assistance of, and for the benefit of, members

3. MAV Procurement: Provides procurement services and training for MAV members

4. MAV Insurance: Operates the Liability Mutual Insurance Scheme (LMI) and the Commercial Crime Fund

5. MAV WorkCare: Operates MAV WorkCare

6. LGE Health Plan: Operates the LGE Health Plan for the benefit of local government employees and their families.

The financial result of the MAV Combined entity for 2018 was a deficit of $1,027,853 (2017 surplus $311,892) with net assets decreasing from $7.83 million in 2017 to $6.8 million in 2018.

This result was significantly impacted by:

1. Purchase of retrospective reinsurance by LMI resulting in a $1.5 million surplus.

2. Discovery of an actuarial error affecting insurance years 2009 to 2018 resulting in a net surplus of $1.33 million

3. The cost of establishing and acquiring the self-insurance license for MAV WorkCare expensed in the 2018 year of $1.27 million

4. Loss on transfer of claims liabilities from WorkSafe to MAV WorkCare at commencement of the scheme amounting to $1.62million

5. Financial impacts within the MAV General Fund as set out on the following page.

Revenue by category 2017-18

Expenditure by category 2017-18

Reinsurance and other recoveries

Sponsorship, membership and tenders

Grant and project income

Seminars and sale of publications

Management fee income

Board expenses

Claims

Stamp duty

Administration

Scheme management

Brokerage fees

Investment income

Insurance premiums

Subscriptions

Other

Salary and payroll

Grants, projects and legal

Meetings and seminars

Reinsurance

Other

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The financial result of the MAV General Fund in 2018 was a surplus of $1.5 million (2017 deficit of $1.97 million) with net assets increasing from $5.87 million in 2017 to $7.38 million in 2018.

This result was significantly impacted by:

The continued growth of MAV Procurement and the net surplus of revenue over expenditure for government grants.

MAV Consolidated Financial Structure

MAV MAV Insurance

MAV Workcare

MAV Grants

Liability Mutual Insurance Scheme

MAV Procurement

MAV Projects & Events

MAV Core Operations

Commercial Crime Fund

MAV GrantsThe MAV delivered on several significant projects during the year that were funded by grants from both the Australian and Victorian governments.

During 2018, the MAV received a further $5.577 million in grants and other grant-related income (2017 $4.787million) and expended $4.38 million (2017 $5.62 million) in order to deliver the outcomes required by the grant agreements. This has resulted in a surplus for the 2018 financial year of $1.20 million (2017 deficit $1.39 million). Grant monies held continued to be spent in accordance with requirements of the various agreements delivering significant benefit and outcomes for the local government sector.

As at 30 June 2018, the MAV had a commitment to spend $4.46 million (2017 $3.80 million).

MAV Projects and EventsMAV Events aims to increase the capability and effectiveness of the sector by delivering events that provide professional development opportunities, collaboration between member councils and an understanding of emerging services. The MAV ran 90 events for over 7,150 delegates in the 2017-18 financial year. Twenty-nine per cent were human services events; governance events represented 24 per cent and technology events represented 15 per cent. Other local government key event areas included environment, emergency management, communications, WorkCare, insurance and procurement. The total subsidy provided by the MAV for the 2018 financial year was $404,882.

MAV ProcurementThe objective of MAV Procurement is to assist members to access significant benefits through improved purchasing and procurement processes and activities.

The year saw the continued development and expansion of MAV Procurement. This entity continues to improve and make major gains in contracted services resulting in improved purchasing performance, leading to significant operational and financial benefits to councils.

This year, MAV Procurement continued to grow and consolidate its position in the sector. Gross revenue increased by over 24 per cent in 2018, and participation across all councils remains at a high level. MAV Procurement has been involved in an increasing number of tenders providing major cost savings for the sector. In addition, a range of subsidised training programs continues to be provided for members. MAV Procurement continued to invest directly in a number of sector-wide initiatives including the street lighting project, the Child Development Information System (CDIS), the LEAP continuous improvement program and the Local Government Funding Vehicle (LGFV). A surplus of $215,471 was earned for 2018 (2017 $114,723).

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MAV Insurance MAV Insurance consists of the Liability Mutual Insurance Scheme (LMI) and the Commercial Crime Fund (the Fund). The Association is required under the Municipal Association Act 1907 to provide public liability and professional indemnity insurance to local government and other statutory authorities. The MAV Board is responsible for the insurance activities of the MAV, and it has established the MAV Insurance Board (MAVIB) to provide oversight of the LMI and Commercial Crime schemes.

One of the aims of the MAVIB is to ensure members have the widest insurance cover on all activities undertaken by local government, and that the insurance limits reflect the inherent risks attached to council operations while offering the most competitive premiums in the insurance market.

MAV Insurance incurred a combined deficit for 2018 of $193,659 (2017 surplus $2,285,582). The scheme is still impacted by the soft market conditions within public liability and professional indemnity insurance lines. The scheme continued to operate in a difficult financial environment – low interest rates, changed actuarial parameters and claims received from departed members continued to have an adverse impact on the Scheme. Toward the end of the 2018 financial year there were signs of the liability market hardening, with significant premium increases occurring and some insurers withdrawing from the market.

The MAV, via its three-year capital management plan, has returned the scheme to a positive capital position. This plan includes a review of the scheme’s investment strategy, its costs and reinsurance strategy while retaining the benefits of Liability Mutual Insurance for the sector.

At 30 June 2018 MAV Insurance held $19.83 million of cash in the bank and in liquid investments. This amount is to be used during the 2019 financial year to pay for the retrospective reinsurance cover. The purchasing of the retrospective reinsurance cover means that the LMI Scheme and MAV Insurance combined have no net claims payable as at 30 June 2018.

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LGE Health Plan The LGE Health Plan commenced in May 2009. Since that time its employer membership has grown to include 73 Victorian councils, 10 Tasmanian councils and 12 water authorities. At 30 June 2018 there were 7,512 employees and their family members taking advantage of the benefits offered by the Plan.

For the year to 30 June 2018, there have been 625 payments for refunds of hospital excesses to employees of members totaling $200,629.

MAV WorkCare MAV WorkCare was awarded a self-insurance license by WorkCare and commenced business on 1 November, 2017. There were 31 inaugural members of the Scheme including the MAV.

The aim of the Scheme is to reduce injuries to workers and improve return to work outcomes for workers that are injured during their employment. MAV WorkCare will provide concentrated effort and resources in these areas of the business of members leading to reduced injuries and better return to work outcomes that will provide significant financial savings for members.

MAV WorkCare incurred an operating deficit for the 2018 year of $2.349 million. The operating deficit was arrived at after deducting the cost of obtaining the self-insurance license of $1.266 million and the deficit on the transfer of the claims liability from WorkSafe of $1.622 million. The surplus earned from business operations for the period before the one-off costs of establishment was $0.538 million.

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